The exhibition “Into the Depths of Fungi” opens the door to the world of mycelium and its endless possibilities
From 17 October, the National Technical Library is hosting an exhibition that reflects the fascinating journey of mycelium from the forest to real building material. This experiential exhibition, titled “Into the Depths of Fungi”, represents one of the major milestones of the SAMOROST project, which is researching and developing mycelium-based materials and exploring all the possibilities for their use in sustainable construction. At the heart of the exhibition is a cross-section of the SAMOROST house, which lets the visitor take a peek into the “guts” of the building technology. The mycocomposite in the house serves as a thermal insulator and also beautifies the interior in the form of cladding. The SAMOROST project was launched in the spring of 2023 by the CS Building Savings Bank Burinka (member of Erste Group) in cooperation with mycological and architectural experts from the MYMO association. The main goal is to motivate start-ups and established companies in the construction industry to start producing mycocomposite on an industrial scale, thus ushering in a new era of sustainable housing.
The exhibition will take place from 17 October to 17 November 2024 at the NTK Gallery, Technická 2710/6, Prague 6.
SAMOROST at the National Technical Library
The exhibition “Into the Depths of Fungi” maps the research and development of the SAMOROST project, which introduces a revolutionary subfloor-based material into sustainable construction. It spotlights not only the material itself, but also its use in house construction through practical examples of furniture and various products.
The exhibition was opened by Martin Svoboda, Director of the National Technical Library:
“The National Technical Library is a very old library, from its humble beginnings serving a single professor 300 years ago, it now serves 30,000 students on campus and untold thousands in virtual space. And we are always trying to present something new to our visitors: The SAMOROST project, with its focus on sustainability and smart materials, corresponds with our efforts to foster creative approaches to technology. That’s why we are happy to partner and host an exhibition about ‘useful mushrooms’, where you can learn how ‘mushrooms’ can contribute to you and to sustainable living on our Earth,” said Martin Svoboda.
Monika Laušmanová, Vice-Chairman of the Board of Directors of CS Building Savings Bank Burinka, followed Martin Svoboda’s words: “Buřinka as a building society places great emphasis on supporting sustainable housing. The SAMOROST project is another step in our efforts to innovate the construction industry. It builds on our previous projects Prvok by Burinka and parkour playground, which introduced the use of 3D printing of concrete in sustainable construction. We see huge potential in the subfloor-based material as an alternative to polystyrene and other environmentally problematic materials. Mycocomposite also has the ability to help in recycling some of the waste we currently cannot handle, such as used paper from plasterboards,” Monika Laušmanová added: “I would like to thank the National Technical Library for providing the gallery for the „Into the Depths of Fungi“ exhibition and the Minister of the Environment for granting SAMOROST House patronage.”
Marcel Ladka, Director of the Cabinet of the Minister of the Environment, also spoke at the opening:
“The SAMOROST project attracted the attention of the Minister of the Environment Petr Hladík himself with its unique approach, mainly thanks to two things. The building itself is made of an innovative material that is not yet commonly used. And also thanks to the connection between business, the academic sector and the startup environment. Petr Hladík personally visited the startup Mykilio in Brno, where this mycocomposite material is being created. It was interesting to see how a startup can create something so ambitious. We then discussed plans for further development of the project and Mykilio with representatives of Burinka. I would like – also on behalf of Minister Petr Hladik – to wish SAMOROST much success and many future users. It would be a pity if this project were to remain with only one model. Maybe one day we will build such a building in our garden or spend a weekend in it. I think it would definitely be worth it,” said Marcel Ladka.
A house made of mushrooms is growing right before our eyes
Although the exhibition “Into the Depths of Fungi” takes place in the bustling centre of the academic world at the National Technical Library in Prague Dejvice, it is set in nature. As soon as you enter, you will smell the forest and with it the scent of wood and mushrooms. No wonder, since the main hero of the exhibition is the mushroom. But don’t be fooled, the main focus is the production process of the mycocomposite material, clearly described in every detail, from the hyphae of the glossy cork fungus, through substrates suitable for its growth to the creation of the final product.
The exhibition is experiential and you will see no “Hands Off” signs. On the contrary, it encourages visitors to touch the material, feel it, smell it, try out how the exhibited products work and admire the unique structure of the material, which has been interwoven by nature itself.
The sensory perception is complemented by technical information: results from expert tests, project documentation of the SAMOROST house and the process of its production. The mycelium house section is the main exhibit and the heart of the exhibition. Its size, colour and shape captivate immediately upon entering the gallery.
“A cross-section of a house in the exhibition illustrates the composition of the wall of the experimental house. You can see where we have used mycocomposite material and where it can replace non-environmental polystyrene. It acts as thermal and acoustic insulation boards and can also be used as internal wall cladding. It has an interesting and novel design of the surface of the tiles that illuminates and enlivens the entire interior and makes it a work of art,” says Kateřina Sýsová from the Institute of Model Design at the CTU, who is also a member of the MYMO association.
Builders, manufacturers and homeowners, take up the baton
The main objective of the exhibition and the project in general is to encourage manufacturers in the construction industry to transfer mycocomposite material into industrial production. However, in order to do this, it is also necessary to make it more popular to the general public, i.e. potential users. They must get used to the material, accept it and realise its real environmental benefits. The seriousness and expertise of the topic will be supported by close links with academia and support from the Ministry of the Environment in the form of patronage of SAMOROST.
About the CS Building Savings Bank Burinka (member of Erste Group)
For 30 years, CS Building Savings Bank Burninka has been providing clients with advantageous building savings and housing loans, including comprehensive financial advice. In short, helping to turn a house into a home. One current focus is financing sustainable renovations. The reconstruction bank’s profile is reflected not only in its product and service offering, but also in its communication. The experience of renovating the house of foster parents in Central Bohemia was described by Burinka in the Reconstruction Guide. It is also a sponsor of the programme “Action: Reconstruction” which is broadcast on Czech Television.
As a building society, CS Building Savings Bank Burinka also feels a commitment to the construction industry, which it fulfils by supporting innovative processes and materials used in the construction of houses. For more information on our projects carried out to support science and research in the construction industry, please visit www.inovaceodburinky.cz/en.
Contact for media
Monika Kopřivová
External Communications Manager of building savings bank Burinka (meber of Erste group)
E-mail: monika.koprivova@burinka.cz
Mobile: +420 724 097 666